Challenger
Sato is once again placed in the starting lineup. An early run seems to shake Toshi's confidence. Even when the Warriors tie it up Toshi seems to lack confidence. When he is forced to face an old teammate Toshi thinks he has an easy out. It is only when an easy hit is made that Toshi realizes he hasn't done enough research on film on how a catcher should start a game and how different a batter can become in the Pros with daily training. With a little help from Yanatabe Toshi begins to realize that in the Pros you battle everyday for an entire season, not just one batter at a time. With this knowledge Toshi is able to regain his confidence, but can he claim the starter catcher's job?
Aired 01/03/2008EP 9 - Challenger
Major S4
Having finished high school, Gorou Honda sets his sights on becoming a professional baseball player. His dreams are much more ambitious than becoming a Japanese Baseball League player, so he instead decides to move to the birthplace of his beloved sport, America, in order to play in the Major League.
However, Gorou finds that the Major League players are much faster, stronger, and more driven than he is. Nonetheless, he is eager to catch up with them. In order to do so, Gorou must first conquer the ranks of the Minor League, where numerous skilled players compete in the grueling rise to the Majors.
Gorou learns that he will have to adapt to the stark differences of American culture and push himself to new extremes as his race to join the Major League begins.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]